Hyundai i20 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 125,129 MOT tests on the Hyundai i20 carried out in 2023. 26% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 i20s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2008 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2015 models did best (81% passed, +5.3 points against the average for 8-year-old cars), while 2013 models fared worst (64%, −4.7 points). Tested cars had covered 54,788 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 11.0% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 6.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 125,129
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +2.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 54,788
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular i20?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
i20 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 154 | 88% | 91% | −3.2 points | 18,353 |
| 2020 | 4,244 | 91% | 88% | +3.7 points | 19,043 |
| 2019 | 7,454 | 90% | 86% | +3.7 points | 25,005 |
| 2018 | 8,728 | 88% | 84% | +3.4 points | 32,327 |
| 2017 | 11,726 | 84% | 82% | +2.8 points | 40,092 |
| 2016 | 13,821 | 83% | 79% | +4.3 points | 46,164 |
| 2015 | 12,895 | 81% | 75% | +5.3 points | 53,123 |
| 2014 | 13,219 | 72% | 72% | +0.4 points | 55,677 |
| 2013 | 12,776 | 64% | 68% | −4.7 points | 61,524 |
| 2012 | 9,892 | 62% | 66% | −3.8 points | 66,683 |
| 2011 | 10,034 | 61% | 63% | −1.5 points | 75,088 |
| 2010 | 10,160 | 61% | 60% | +0.2 points | 76,756 |
| 2009 | 9,910 | 59% | 59% | +0.0 points | 79,370 |
| 2008 | 105 | 59% | 57% | +1.7 points | 83,989 |
Why the Hyundai i20 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | i20 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.0% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 7.4% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 4.8% |
| Suspension | 5.5% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 5.0% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.8% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 1.4% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.8% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working6.3%
- 2does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
- 3ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
- 4provides insufficient washer liquid2.3%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- 7ball joint excessively worn1.5%
- 8efficiency below requirements1.3%
- 9excessively corroded1.2%
- 10inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.2%
Common i20 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used i20, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 12.5% |
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 12.2% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 7.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 7.8% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 7.0% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 2.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.3% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.0% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.0% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.0% |
Tips to help your i20 pass
Based on where i20s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 11.0% of i20 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 7.4% of i20 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 6.5% of i20 tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the i20 ULEZ compliant? See the Hyundai i20 ULEZ check, or view all Hyundai models.
Other Hyundai models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 125,129 first MOT tests of the Hyundai i20 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 125,129 first MOT tests of the Hyundai i20.
What is the Hyundai i20 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 26% of 125,129 first MOT attempts on the Hyundai i20 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Hyundai i20 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (11.0% of tests), brakes (7.4% of tests), visibility (6.5% of tests).
Which i20 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2015 cars performed best: 81% passed first time, +5.3 points against the average for 8-year-old cars. The weakest was 2013, at 64% (−4.7 points).
How many miles had a typical Hyundai i20 covered at its MOT?
The average was 54,788 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 18,353 miles and 2008 cars 83,989.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Hyundai i20?
"has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure" was recorded on 12.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.0% of i20s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific i20's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 125,129 i20s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 59% to 91% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any i20's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.